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Sizhui was beyond excited. It was the last day of his disciple life which meant he could finally take part in the lantern ceremony! What was even better was the fact that both of his parents and his best friends were there as well – due to him and Jingyi begging Lan Qiren to let them invite Jin Ling (and of course Jiang Cheng with him). They could even somehow sneak Wen Ning in as well, so it could be said all of his family were together. That thought made him smile.

”What are you smiling about?” Jingyi asked as they were kneeling beside each other with lanterns in front of them.

”Nothing in particular,” Sizhui answered, soft smile still on display. ”I’m just happy,” he said, and Jingyi knitted his eyebrows.

”You’re strange,” he concluded, then turned his head around. ”Hey, Young Mistress! Come here!” The call was for Jin Ling who was standing with the adults, seemingly having no idea what to do. Hearing the call, he looked at Hanguagn-Jun first, then at his uncle for permission.

”You can go,” the older Lan said, and Jin Ling bowed, hurrying to his friends. Jiang Cheng raised one of his eyebrows.

”Is it allowed?” He asked, crossing his arms. ”If I remember correctly, the ceremony is only for Lan disciplines.”

”Times are changing,” Lan Zhan said matter of factly, and Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes with a huff.

”What Lan Zhan meant is that friendship is more important than old and stupid rules,” Wei Ying chirped and Jiang Cheng saw as Lan Qiren’s body went rigid. He had to cover his mouth to hide his snort.

Jin Ling didn’t hear a word from the conversation because by that time he had already reached his friends. He knelt down beside them, and looked at Lan Sizhui.

”What can I help with, A-Yuan?” He asked, then glared at Lan Jingyi. ”And you, do not dare call me Young Mistress again in front of my jiujiu!” He said and Lan Jingyi snorted, then yelped as Sizhui elbowed him to the ribs.

”You are good at drawing, A-Ling,” A-Yuan said with a small smile, ”I think, A-Ji needs a little help with his drawing,” Jin Ling looked at the lantern and snorted, then hummed in approval.

”And what if my art skills aren’t as good as yours?!” The offended junior asked his friends with a pout. ”What are you drawing, anyways?” He asked, leaning closer to Lan Sizhui. When he saw the almost finished drawing, he let out a questioning noise. To that, Jin Ling leaned closer as well.

”What’s with the turnip and bunny?” He inquired, raising one of his eyebrows. Lan Sizhui’s smile widened as he felt warmness blooming in his chest.

”Both of those are really important to me,” he said and his friends cocked their heads, still having no idea why.

”All right, time is up!” They heard Lan Qiren’s voice twenty minutes later, and everyone put their brushes down, being content or not so with their drawings. ”Everyone, come here and take a match!”

The students stood up, one after the other, and walked up to Wei Ying who gave them their matches. When Lan Sizhui reached him, he brushed his hand gently against his face.

”And what did my dearest A-Yuan draw for this special occasion?” He inquired lovingly, but Lan Sizhui only smiled at him.

”You’ll find out in time, Baba!” He promised, hurrying back to his lantern. Wei Ying let out a long sigh, then leaned against Lan Zhan.

”Why is this kid so secretive?” He asked from himself, then frowned. ”Lan Zhan! What have you taught him?!”

”Just watch,” the other said, as the kids inflamed the small candle in their lanterns and released them.

Wei Ying felt his eyes widen then tearing up as he watched his son’s lantern raising to the sky while the small candle enlightening the drawing on it – a turnip and a bunny. He heard a loud gasp beside him, and when he turned his head, he saw Wen Ning with wide eyes and an equally wide mouth. He felt that if the fierce corpse could still cry, he would have been in tears by now.

The next thing he felt was the slight shaking of the body beside him. He swirled his head so fast he feared his neck would break, and what he saw made his lips widen even more. His husband was crying – and not only just a few tears. Tears were running down on his cheeks as if they would never stop. Suddenly, Lan Zhan let go of him and hurried towards the group of kids. Wei Ying watched how his son turned around in surprise, then was pulled into – a most likely bone-crushing – hug by his husband.

”Go there, Wei-gongzi,” he heard Wen Ning, but he felt his legs being rooted in the ground. He felt as strong push, and stumbled forward.

”Come one, you idiot!” He heard his brother’s voice from behind. ”Your family’s waiting for you!”

It seemed like that was the push Wei Ying needed, because suddenly his legs were moving again, and he stumbled forward towards his family. When he regained his balance, he stood up and ran to them with fully speed. He clashed into the two from behind, and Lan Zhan pulled him in the group hug without a question. At that point all three of them were crying, but that moment was perfect as it was. Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, watching the public display of affection when a small body crashed into his so hard he almost ended up on his butt.

”What the hell, A-Ling?” He asked, frustrated, but when Jin Ling looked up at him, Jiang Cheng saw he was weeping.

”I love you, Jiujiu!” Jin Ling cried, gripping his robes so hard he almost tore them. He rubbed his face to Jian Cheng’s chest, and the other’s sight became moisty.

”What’s this all of the sudden, idiot?” Jiang Cheng asked, but petted his nephew’s hair nonetheless. ”I love you too!”